Rollo Coaster

Rollo Coaster
Saturday I went with my family to a local amusement Park called Idlewild. It was established in 1887. Its shaded walkways, rides, and entertainment have been a favorite for visitors. The Rollo Coaster was built in 1938 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It is a wood-framed coaster built from lumber sourced directly from the park area. It used a local sawmill that was built nearby specifically for the project. It is an out and back coaster built over a hillside. The only thrilling elements are several small hills that use the park’s topography to its advantage. Built over the steep terrain, the coaster features many tight twists and turns which intensify its sense of speed and danger.
The height of the tallest hill is 27 feet with a 25 foot drop. The speed of the ride is 25 miles per hour gained during its 900 foot length. There is an increasing rumble and roar as the wheels manuever the track’s dips and tight turns adding to the ride’s attraction.
This is the basic description of the ride, but as a preteen kid who had never ridden a coaster it was a daunting unknown. My first encounter with the coaster was with my Uncle Charles Bottomley. I had no idea wht to expect. I approached the entrance where a marker read, “You must be this tall to ride.” I met the requirements and followed my Uncle to the boarding area. The line of cars slithered into place and we climbed into our seats. I can’t remember if we were in the front row of seats or not, but I was so nervous. I do remember the feeling of butterflies in my stomach as the car connected to the chain-link drive that pulled us to the top of the first hill. The butterflies multiplied as we crested the first hill. The rest of the ride was a blur as we barrelled along the multiple hills, twists, and turns. In seconds we were back at the terminal. My mom Sybil Miner Beck said that I was as white as a sheet.
While my kids and grandkids were in line to ride another amusement, I thought that I’d climb aboard the coatser. For some reason memories of the old butterflies were magnified. I decided to face them before I’d ride with the family. I wondered what my old coaster nemesis had in store for me. Butterflies burst forth as the car connected to the lift to begin its clicking.The car reached the top and the curved wooden frame glistened from the morniing dew. As I crested the hill I was surprised at how shallow the drop actually was. In seconds the car dropped, and swooped along each valley and hurtling through each curve. Time sped by and fearful memories were tamed.